From Lagoon To Canvas: AMAE Takes Art to Makoko Waters, Inspires Coastal Children Through 'Paint Your Coast' Initiative
Kathy Kyari
The African Maritime Art Exhibition (AMAE), in collaboration with the National Gallery of Art (Nigeria), transformed the Makoko waterfront into a floating art classroom as children and youths painted their coastal environment while learning about ocean conservation, maritime safety and blue economy opportunities.
The Makoko outreach marked the second phase of the "Paint Your Coast" initiative, following its launch in Akodo-Ise, Lagos State, where coastal children were introduced to marine-themed art, environmental awareness and creative career opportunities linked to the blue economy.
Unlike conventional art workshops, the Makoko edition took place entirely on the waterfront. Professional artists from the National Gallery of Art worked alongside participants on floating platforms and canoes, sketching and painting the iconic stilt community and its surrounding lagoon in real time, turning the seascape itself into a living studio.
Convener of the AMAE, Ezinne Azunna, said the programme is a long-term creative intervention designed to nurture artistic talent among children living in coastal communities.
"After the one-day training at each location, we gave them art materials to paint their coast either via drawing, painting or tie and dye."
"They entered into a one-month competition stage and the schools will submit their artworks to an independent jury. The best 10 works will be featured at the African Maritime Art Exhibition (AMAE) 2026 later this year."
Azunna explained that the initiative seeks to help children view their coastal environment not as a disadvantage but as a source of creativity, opportunity and economic potential.
Representing the Director-General of the National Gallery of Art, Mr. Ahmed Sodangi, the West Zonal Coordinator, Mr. Babalola Oladipo-Adetayo, described the initiative as a life-changing exposure for children in Makoko, noting that waterfront communities possess rich cultural and economic assets that can be harnessed through creativity.
The event also featured advocacy on water safety, with the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), represented by Mr. David Otonoku on behalf of Lagos Area Manager Engr. Sarat Braimah, urging residents to make life jackets a non-negotiable safety measure during water transportation.
President of the Africa Women's Fish Processors and Traders Network (AWFISHNET), Nigeria Chapter, Oluwafunmilola Shelika, represented by Mrs. Mgbeoma Kuye, encouraged participants to embrace artistic skills as viable sources of income within the maritime value chain, saying creativity can complement traditional coastal livelihoods.
Chairman of the occasion and Director of the International Ocean Institute Nigeria Centre, Dr. Akanbi Williams, praised the initiative for combining art, environmental education and ocean literacy, noting that such programmes enable children to express their maritime identity while promoting responsible stewardship of fragile coastal ecosystems.
Williams also highlighted the collaboration between the International Ocean Institute Nigeria Centre, AMAE and the Eco Restoration Mangrove Sanctuary and Research Centre in advancing ocean literacy, coastal conservation and community engagement across Nigeria's shoreline communities.
The programme ended with live demonstrations by National Gallery of Art artists Blissing Uzaoatuegwu, Taiwo Owoyemi and James Itodo, who guided children in producing paintings of Makoko's lagoon environment while simultaneously creating their own artworks on the water.
Organisers said the "Paint Your Coast" initiative, now implemented in both Akodo-Ise and Makoko, has been designed as a competitive talent development pipeline, with outstanding entries earning exhibition opportunities at AMAE 2026.
They added that the initiative forms part of wider efforts to strengthen Nigeria's blue economy by equipping coastal youth with creative, environmental and entrepreneurial skills while repositioning waterfront communities as centres of innovation, culture and sustainable development.
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